I ate an apple right before my ride and wound up with stomach cramps 20 minutes in.
You didn’t give your body enough time to process it. Apples are high in fructose, a slow-burnin sugar that is hard to digest—especially on the fly. Another possible culprit: the fiber-rich skin. Both fructose and fiber can reduce the flow of fluid through the digestive system, causing discomfort and cramps, says Tara Gidus, RD, CSSD. Next time, reach for a plum or peach: Both deliver fast, easily digestible energy with less fructose. If you want an apple, eat it 60 to 90 minutes before a workout, and the fructose will reward you with long-lasting fuel to stave off a bonk.—Kelly Bastone

Even though I get plenty of sleep, I often yawn before a ride—and sometimes during it.
Unless the yawning is excessive and doesn’t show signs of ­stopping, it’s totally normal. Yawning helps us make transitions in our physiological and behavioral states, such as from sleep to wakefulness or from sedentary to ­active, says Robert R. Provine, PhD, a neuroscientist­ and professor of psychology at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, and author of Curious Behavior: Yawning, Laughing, Hiccupping, and Beyond. When you yawn during activity,­ he says, it stirs up certain body functions, which affect your blood pressure, heart rate, and body temperature. It’s also associated with anxiety (like at the start of an event), but it typically fades away. If it doesn’t, there may be more to your yawning than simply waking up or being nervous. ­Certain medications, particularly antidepressants, can trigger excessive yawning. Another cause may be what’s called a vasovagal reaction, a reflex that controls blood pressure and heart rate, which may indicate a heart problem. If your yawning doesn’t quit, see your doc. —Selene Yeager

Replace crash landings with smooth sailing. (Klaus Vedfelt/Getty Images)
I sailed off a drop on my mountain bike and almost crashed on the landing.
You probably nosed your front wheel down. Instead, get both wheels to hit the ground at the same time. How? With a “poke,” says Darren Butler, co-owner of Endless Biking in North Vancouver, British Columbia. Crouch to get your weight into the bike just before the edge of the drop, then extend (or poke) your arms and legs in the direction of the landing. This moves your center of gravity back, preventing the front wheel from nose-­diving. Then recenter your body so your weight is evenly distributed between your wheels when you land. The faster you’re ­going, the less dramatic your movements need to be. Last tip? Spot where your front wheel will touch down. That means focusing beyond the drop: “Keep your head up and look at least 6 feet in front of you,” advises Steve Peat, Santa Cruz Syndicate racer, 2009 DH world champion, and 17-time world cup winner. Practice on a moderate drop (2 to 4 feet) with a smooth landing zone where it’s safe to make mistakes. —Brian Fiske